In the next few sessions my party will be facing a golden gorgon (functionally the same as a normal gorgon, but turns people to gold rather than stone for flavour reasons). I'm aware that petrification can be quite a harsh outcome, especially for a lower level party without access to spells like greater restoration, thus I want to make sure I give them a fair chance to avoid becoming a solid block of gold.
A gorgon's petrifying breath attack allows for two DC13 constitution saves, the first taken when they are hit with the breath, the second at the end of their next turn. If the first save is failed, they begin the process of petrification and they become restrained, if the second save is failed, they fully solidify. How would you rule attempts to prevent this process before the second save is taken? For example, the fighter fails his first save and begins to petrify > On her turn the paladin lays on hands/ administers healing potion/ casts lesser restoration/ casts remove curse to prevent the effect from fully taking hold. Or, would you rule that the only way to prevent it would be for the fighter to pass his final CON save or use the RAW means of curing full petrification?
I guess it comes down to whether or not you would classify the effect as magical, a curse, a physical ailment, or if it just counts as a lesser degree of the petrified condition, meaning none of the aformentioned attempts would work.
2 ideas, first you could start the encounter with it needing to recharge (maybe a short vignette where it petrifies a no named mook.) 2nd, the description does state until cured by greater restoration, or "other magic" you could determine the magic needed. Maybe it's a rumored salve made from rare ingredients that would require the survivors to go on a quest to acquire (along with the maker of the slave, the famous Fill In McGee), or they hit the target with an ability that you deem could remove, or better yet, delay the onset of the petrification, giving you another quest hook as they frantically search for a cure as the character(s) slow watch their body turn to stone.
Or, RAW, you turn to stone. does anyone know greater restoration? No, you remain as stone.
Those are decent ideas! The first isn't feasible unfortunately because it will be somewhat of a surprise encounter. They will be conducting a heist to discover (and possibly steal) a gift being sent between two enemy rulers, the twist is that the gift is not a tower of gold; it's a towering golden gorgon locked inside a large silenced container.
The second idea, slowing the process, is perfect though. They've already met a hag (unbeknownst to them) that they would likely go to for help if they manage to (a) slow the petrification process or (b) recover their 2000lb golden friend. Of course, there would be a 'price' for the service.
To my mind the "or other magic" is also your open door to allow them to avoid being turned to gold immediately. Possibly the Paladin's laying on of hands, the healing potion or other curative magic slows the effect. For how long could be left a mystery to them. I would not even require them to make the second CON save immediately if they slowed the effect. They know they failed the first save, so they know they will eventually have to make that second save. It is your call if you want them to have to deal with the restrained condition until they get the final cure or pass the second save. Because I am a kindly Evil DM I would inflict the restrained condition on them, but allow them to walk very, very slowly when not in combat. Enough so that they could actually get from one place to another under their own power, but not fast enough to change locations during combat. Restrained, it is worth noting, does still allow a character to attack, albeit with disadvantage, so they will not be completely helpless. It seems a better option for an otherwise outmatched party than killing them outright.
That sounds cool, however with my party I know for a fact if one of us got petrified into gold, the rest of us wouldn't heal the player we would cash in the player and someone would be rolling up a new character lol
wanna smelt down your loyal friend for a quick cash grab? cool, now you're all cursed. Or just make anything removed from the statue revert to it's natural form in say, 1d20 minutes.
It reverts back to it's natural form I like that, can just imagine some shop keeper who has been paid in an "armload" of gold chasing them down as he is left with a fleshy stump 15 minutes after being paid lol. My entire party is chaotic neutral, rogue, 2 barbs (one dwarf, one goliath) and me a warlock, apart from the paladin who is a fallen asimar chaotic good. So yeah we would take our chances if only for the shits and giggles lol
On the subject of large gold objects. I once gave a party two life sized, solid gold statues of percherons. The only problem was they were down in the dungeon... Gold is heavy, statues are bulky and awkwardly shaped to carry, and everybody who hears that you have a large amount of gold will want to take it from you.
I could see a noble offering to buy now golden adventurers as decorative statuary...
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In the next few sessions my party will be facing a golden gorgon (functionally the same as a normal gorgon, but turns people to gold rather than stone for flavour reasons). I'm aware that petrification can be quite a harsh outcome, especially for a lower level party without access to spells like greater restoration, thus I want to make sure I give them a fair chance to avoid becoming a solid block of gold.
A gorgon's petrifying breath attack allows for two DC13 constitution saves, the first taken when they are hit with the breath, the second at the end of their next turn. If the first save is failed, they begin the process of petrification and they become restrained, if the second save is failed, they fully solidify. How would you rule attempts to prevent this process before the second save is taken? For example, the fighter fails his first save and begins to petrify > On her turn the paladin lays on hands/ administers healing potion/ casts lesser restoration/ casts remove curse to prevent the effect from fully taking hold. Or, would you rule that the only way to prevent it would be for the fighter to pass his final CON save or use the RAW means of curing full petrification?
I guess it comes down to whether or not you would classify the effect as magical, a curse, a physical ailment, or if it just counts as a lesser degree of the petrified condition, meaning none of the aformentioned attempts would work.
Thanks guys.
2 ideas, first you could start the encounter with it needing to recharge (maybe a short vignette where it petrifies a no named mook.) 2nd, the description does state until cured by greater restoration, or "other magic" you could determine the magic needed. Maybe it's a rumored salve made from rare ingredients that would require the survivors to go on a quest to acquire (along with the maker of the slave, the famous Fill In McGee), or they hit the target with an ability that you deem could remove, or better yet, delay the onset of the petrification, giving you another quest hook as they frantically search for a cure as the character(s) slow watch their body turn to stone.
Or, RAW, you turn to stone. does anyone know greater restoration? No, you remain as stone.
Those are decent ideas! The first isn't feasible unfortunately because it will be somewhat of a surprise encounter. They will be conducting a heist to discover (and possibly steal) a gift being sent between two enemy rulers, the twist is that the gift is not a tower of gold; it's a towering golden gorgon locked inside a large silenced container.
The second idea, slowing the process, is perfect though. They've already met a hag (unbeknownst to them) that they would likely go to for help if they manage to (a) slow the petrification process or (b) recover their 2000lb golden friend. Of course, there would be a 'price' for the service.
To my mind the "or other magic" is also your open door to allow them to avoid being turned to gold immediately. Possibly the Paladin's laying on of hands, the healing potion or other curative magic slows the effect. For how long could be left a mystery to them. I would not even require them to make the second CON save immediately if they slowed the effect. They know they failed the first save, so they know they will eventually have to make that second save. It is your call if you want them to have to deal with the restrained condition until they get the final cure or pass the second save. Because I am a kindly Evil DM I would inflict the restrained condition on them, but allow them to walk very, very slowly when not in combat. Enough so that they could actually get from one place to another under their own power, but not fast enough to change locations during combat. Restrained, it is worth noting, does still allow a character to attack, albeit with disadvantage, so they will not be completely helpless. It seems a better option for an otherwise outmatched party than killing them outright.
That sounds cool, however with my party I know for a fact if one of us got petrified into gold, the rest of us wouldn't heal the player we would cash in the player and someone would be rolling up a new character lol
From Within Chaos Comes Order!
wanna smelt down your loyal friend for a quick cash grab? cool, now you're all cursed. Or just make anything removed from the statue revert to it's natural form in say, 1d20 minutes.
It reverts back to it's natural form I like that, can just imagine some shop keeper who has been paid in an "armload" of gold chasing them down as he is left with a fleshy stump 15 minutes after being paid lol. My entire party is chaotic neutral, rogue, 2 barbs (one dwarf, one goliath) and me a warlock, apart from the paladin who is a fallen asimar chaotic good. So yeah we would take our chances if only for the shits and giggles lol
From Within Chaos Comes Order!
On the subject of large gold objects. I once gave a party two life sized, solid gold statues of percherons. The only problem was they were down in the dungeon... Gold is heavy, statues are bulky and awkwardly shaped to carry, and everybody who hears that you have a large amount of gold will want to take it from you.
I could see a noble offering to buy now golden adventurers as decorative statuary...